New York Passes Living Donor Protection Act

 

 

New York, NY -- November 8, 2018 -- “The National Kidney Foundation congratulates New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State legislature for recognizing the critical importance of protecting living organ donors from discrimination and encouraging more people to step forward to give the gift of life to patients desperately in need.”

 

“Governor Cuomo signed into law the New York Living Donor Protection Act (A297A/S2496).  This law, similar to the proposed federal Living Donor Protection Act (H.R. 1270), protects living organ donors from health, medical and life insurance discrimination based upon their status as an organ donor.  It also provides clarification that New York’s paid family leave program will cover organ and tissue donation.  Finally, it directs the New York commissioner of health to develop and distribute informational materials relating to the benefits of being a living organ or tissue donor.”

 

“On behalf of all kidney patients, thank you Governor Cuomo for moving this critical legislation forward in New York State.  And thank you to all of our New York advocates for their tireless work to help move this forward and to our partners through the New York Center for Kidney Transplantation.”

 

In the United States 30 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and most aren’t aware of it.  1 in 3 American adults are at risk for chronic kidney disease.  Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and family history.  People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease.  African Americans are 3 times more likely than Whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop end stage renal disease (kidney failure).

 

THE BIG ASK: THE BIG GIVE platform, which provides nationwide outreach, is designed to increase kidney transplantation through training and tools that help patients and families find a living donor. It includes direct patient and caregiver support through our toll-free help line 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273), peer mentoring from a fellow kidney patient or a living donor, online communities, an advocacy campaign to remove barriers to donation, and a multi-media public awareness campaign. All of these resources are free and designed to teach kidney patients, or their advocates, how to make a “big ask” to their friends, loved ones, or community to consider making a “big give,” a life-saving living organ donation.  For more information visit www.kidney.org/livingdonation.